Beneficial Brotherhood and Love

Beneficial Brotherhood and Love

It is reported that ‘Abdullah b. Abbas - Allah be pleased with him - said, "Love for Allah and hate for Allah, make your enmity because of Allah and your allegiance because of Allah; for indeed, the love and support of Allah is not achieved save through this. And a man will never taste true faith (iman) - though he may pray and fast much - except when he is like that. Today, the people’s brotherhood is based upon worldly considerations (dunya), but this will not do anything for them on the Day of Resurrection."

Ref.: Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa`iq article 353.

Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a

lack of any other material thing.

"And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised." [51:22]

Knowledge transforms the student

Knowledge transforms the student

Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains - if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.

Ref.: Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa`iq Vol.1 p.156.

​

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri [Allah have mercy on him] said:
Verily, Allah lets [a person] enjoy a blessing for as long as He wills.

But when He is no longer thanked for it, He turns it into a punishment.
Ibn Abi Al-Dunya, Kitab Al-Shukr article 17

May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other

May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu `alaikum to one another)". [Muslim]

Commentary:  In this Hadith, Islam has been regarded as the medium of mutual love. This is the reason Muslims have been enjoined to greet each other regardless of acquaintance. It does not, however, mean that a Muslim will be a true believer or entitled to Jannah, by mere greeting. What it really means is that his Faith will become meaningful only when it is supported by actions. Greeting is an Islamic custom and a practical form and demonstration of it. The combination of Faith and its practice will take a Muslim to Jannah.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 378.

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Always remember that your God is Oft-Forgiving.

The Virtue of Patience and Prayer

The Virtue of Patience and Prayer

Allah [tabaarak ta wa ta’aala] says: "O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun(the patient)." [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:153]

After Allah commanded that He be appreciated, He ordained patience and prayer. It is a fact that the servant is either enjoying a bounty that he should be thankful for, or suffering a calamity that he should meet with patience. A Hadith states: (Amazing is the believer, for whatever Allah decrees for him, it is better for him! If he is tested with a bounty, he is grateful for it and this is better for him; and if he is afflicted with a hardship, he is patient with it and this is better for him.)

Allah has stated that the best tools to help ease the effects of the afflictions are patience and prayer. Earlier we mentioned Allah's statement: "And seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayers) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi'un [i.e. the true believers in Allah - those who obey Allâh with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]." [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:45]

There are several types of Sabr ـ patience: one for avoiding the prohibitions and sins, one for acts of worship and obedience. The second type carries more rewards than the first type. There is a third type of patience required in the face of the afflictions and hardships, which is mandatory, like repentance.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "Sabr has two parts: patience for the sake of Allah concerning what He is pleased with(i.e., acts of worship and obedience), even if it is hard on the heart and the body, and patience when avoiding what He dislikes, even if it is desired. Those who acquire these qualities will be among the patient persons whom Allah shall greet (when they meet Him in the Hereafter; refer to Surat Al-Ahzab 33:44), Allah willing."

Source: Tafseer ibn Katheer Juz 2 (Part 2) Al-Baqarah.

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Be patient, you will realize that the wait was worth it, if it was for the sake of Allah.

Allaah is pleased with the pleasing of the parents & angry with whom angers them

Allaah is pleased with the pleasing of the parents & angry with whom angers them

​

 1. On the authority of Abdullaah Umarooh bin al-Aaas may Allaah be pleased with them that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be upon him) said: 

​

The Lord is pleased with the pleasing of the parents, and the Lord is angry with whom angers the parents. 

 ​[

Saheeh al-jaamee (3500) & Silseelah as-Saheehah (516)]

​

 2. Also on the authority of Abdullaah Umarooh bin al- Aaas may Allaah be pleased with them that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be upon him) said: 

​

The Lord is pleased with the pleasing of the parents, and angry with whom angers them. 

​[

Saheeh al-Jamee (3501)]

​

3. And in another narration Abee Huraira may Allaah be pleased with him who said that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be upon him) said: 

 

The Lord Tabarak and Exalted is pleased in the pleasing of the parents, and the anger of Allaah Tabarak and Exalted is in making the parents angry.

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"Don’t announce your problems to the world looking for sympathy.
Most don’t care, many don’t want to hear them and some are glad you have them.
Address your concerns to Allah, He’s always there and He only can help." 

One should not take the respite for exemption

One should not take the respite for exemption

Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape." Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited, "Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the(population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe". (Soorah Hood 11:102) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: One should not take the respite for exemption because no one knows when respite granted by Him will come to an end and punishment will follow.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 207.

No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself

No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith about the importance and virtue of mutual love among the Muslims. If we act upon the injunctions mentioned in this Hadith, the Muslim societies will be immediately purged of the evils like exploitation, bribery, dishonesty, falsehood, cheating, forgery, etc., which are rampant in them at present. Islam has taught golden principles to its followers who have unfortunately neglected them and in consequence are leading a life of utter disgrace and moral turpitude.

May Allah guide them to the Straight Path.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 183.

Hajj Selfie

Story of Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) when death approached him

Story of Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) when death approached him 

by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh

Abdullaah Ibn Ahmad Bin Hanbal said: when death approached my father, I came close to him and I set by his side and I had piece of cloth with me. I looked at him and I saw him becoming unconscious and I thought that he had passed away. Then he became conscious and he said: "La Ba’ad! La Ba’d! (Not yet! Not yet!)" He did this once and twice and whilst he was doing in the third time I said to him, ‘Oh my father, what is this you are saying now? He Imaam Ahmad said to his son, "Ya Bunaiy, Oh my son, you don’t know? So I said no I don’t know. 

So he said, iblis the cursed one, he stood by my feet, and biting his fingers, he kept saying: Ya Ahmad , Futanee, Meaning: you are saved from me from my plots, why is he saying this to Imaam Ahmad at this time of death? He is saying to him that you are safe from me you were protected from me, why? In order to lead Imaam Ahmad to feel pride of himself, and this is an affliction, he was trying to cause a fithna at the time of death and this is why Imaam Ahmad kept saying La Ba’ad hata amut, not until I die this what he explained to his son. ‘Until I die then I will be inshaa Allaah, be saved from your plots but not yet."

​​

These are the fruits of Imaan that Allaah will be the believers at the time of death steadfastness against the shaitan and plots of shaitan.

May Allah make us be among the ones who are mentioned in this ayah. Ameen.

story-of-imaam-ahmad-rahimahullaah-dr-saleh-assaleh.mp3

Everything that is decreed for the believer is the best for him.

Spread Salaam (Islamic greeting of Peace) between yourselves

Spread Salaam (Islamic greeting of Peace) between yourselves

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things." [Soorah an-Nisaa 04:86] 

The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to return salaams, and made it a right and a duty.  Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim: he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him [say "Yarhamuk Allaah"] when he sneezes." Ahmad (2/540), al-Bukhaari (1240), Muslim (2792), al-Nisaa’i in al-Yawm wa’l-Laylah (221) and Abu Dawood (5031)

The Prophet ﷺ  explained the reward earned by the one who says salaam:
They reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a man passed by the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ whilst he was sitting with some others, and said: "As Salaam ‘alaykum (peace be upon you)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "[He will have] ten hasanaat (rewards)."

Another man passed by and said "As Salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "[He will have] twenty hasanaat."

Another man passed by and said "As Salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa baarakaatuhu (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "[He will have] thirty hasanaat." Reported by al-Nisaa’i in ‘Aml al-yawm wa’l-laylah (368) and al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (586) and by Ibn Hibban (493).

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Virtue of Four Deeds in one day!

The slips of our tongue already get us in so much trouble in this world, 

Imagine what it will do for us in the afterlife.

Allah will reward those who have patience with a threefold reward: blessings, mercy and guidance

Allah will reward those who have patience with a threefold reward: blessings, mercy and guidance

Allah [Subhanahu wa Ta'ala] says: And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).

Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."

They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:155-157]

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When people came to offer their condolences to one of the salaf, for some calamity that had befallen him, he said:

​"

Why should I not practice patience, when Allah has promised those who have patience three rewards, each of which is better than this world and everything in it?"

You should know with certainty that everything that happens,

occurs in accordance with the divine decree.

Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsinun

Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsinun

Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty to Him), and those who are Muhsinun (good-doers). [Soorah an-Nahl 16:128] 

Narrated Abu Hurairah [radhi-yAllahu anhu]: Allah's Messenger [sal-Allahu alayhi wa sallam] said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you [from the (Hell) Fire]." They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Messenger?" He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me and protects me with His Grace. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8/6463 (O.P.470)]

Ref.: The Noble quran Soorah an-Nahl 16:128

Don't depend to much on anyone in this world because 
even your own shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.​

‘Taqwa’ is the most important thing to bring on your trip to Hajj

‘Taqwa’ is the most important thing to bring on your trip to Hajj

If there is one thing you can bank on during your trip, it is that you will be tested, over and over. It doesn’t matter if you have a 5-star package and access to amenities that most others don’t, you cannot escape the tests that Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala(glorified and exalted be He) will place before you.

You may experience long delays in getting from point A to point B. You may get ill. You may get stuck with a fellow Muslim in your group that annoys you. You may lose your luggage or your passport. You may get lost from your group. Something may happen that throws your whole Hajj in jeopardy. The bottom line is: you will face challenges along the way. This has always been the case, right from when Hajj was first instituted until now.

Our Master and Creator subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) has provided us with some advice in the Qur’an on how we can respond to the tests that He will send.

"... And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!" [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:197]

Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) teaches us how we can prepare for those tests. It is taqwa that you should carry with you every step of the way because it will give you the strength to bear the tests that Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala(glorified and exalted be He) will place upon you to test your faith and strengthen your imaan and maybe even, raise your status with Him subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He).

Taqwa here means to have an elevated consciousness of Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He), to be constantly aware that He is watching over you at every moment. With this awareness comes a desire to please Allah subḥānahu wa ta'ala(glorified and exalted be He) even in moments of distress. When your buttons are pushed, you control your emotions and act rationally with patience.

A Muslim woman must remove nail polish whenever she intends to perform Ablution & Ghusl

A Muslim woman must remove nail polish whenever she intends to perform Ablution & Ghusl

Removing all things that prevent Water from Reaching the Skin:

This means that a person must remove everything covering the body parts he washes during ablution that would prevent water from reaching his skin. This applies to those who work with paint. If this substance sticks hard onto the body parts they wash during ablution to the point that water cannot reach the skin, one is obligated to take it off by using paint remover before performing ablution.

This also applies to nail polish, which women put on their nails. They must remove this from their nails before performing ablution. A Muslim woman must remove this nail polish whenever she intends to perform ablution or ritual bathing, i.e. ghusl from sexual impurity. She may use this nail polish in her home afterward depending on whether she agrees with her husband that it is a means of beautification and adornment.

Source: Taken from the Book "An Explanation of 'The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer" Published by al-ibaanah 
Explained by Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah) and Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbaad (hafidhahullaah)

The reward of performing Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation

The reward of performing Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation

Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: "One who performs Isha prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night." [Muslim]

The narration of At-Tirmidhi says: Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: "He who attends Isha in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night; and he who attends Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for the whole night."

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that the reward of performing Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation is so great that it equals the worship of the whole night.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 1071.

May Allah make me and all those who read practice. Aameen.

Ten things that Gain the Love of Allah

Ten things that Gain the Love of Allah

Shaykhul Islaam Ibnul Qayyim

The things that gain the love of Allah and necessitate it are ten:

The first: Reading the Quran with contemplation, understanding its meanings and what it requires, like a book one memorizes in order to explain to others what the author means.

The second: Drawing closer to Allah through supererogatory forms of worship after the obligations.

The third: Continuously practicing the remembrance of Allah at all times with the tongue, the heart, actions and state, and a person’s portion of love is according to his portion of this remembrance.

The fourth: Choosing what Allah loves over what you yourself love at times of overpowering desire, and deferring to what Allah loves even when the standing is difficult.

The fifth: The Pondering of the heart over Allah's Names and Attributes, witnessing them, knowing them and roaming in the gardens of this knowledge and its principles. For whoever knows Allah with His Names, Attributes and Actions would, without doubt, love Him. This is why the Mu’atilah, the Phir’awniyyah and the Jahmiyyah cut off the path between the hearts and reaching the Beloved One.

The sixth: Thoughtfully witnessing Allah’s benevolence, beneficence, bounties and favors, both hidden and apparent for indeed this is a cause for His love. 

The seventh: And it is amongst the most remarkable; the breaking of ones heart in totality in front of Allah the Elevated, and there is nothing to explain this condition except words and phrases.

The eighth: Being alone with Him during the Divine Descending, to call upon Him, to recite His Words, to contemplate with the heart, to behave oneself with the mannerisms of a worshiper in front of Him, and to conclude all of this by seeking forgiveness and repenting.

The ninth: Accompanying those who love Him, those who are truthful and sincere and collecting the best fruits of their speech just as one would pick only the best fruits [from a tree]. And to stay silent except when the benefit of speaking is preponderant and you know that it will increase your state and benefit others.

The tenth: Distancing everything that comes between the heart and Allah the Glorified.

It is with these ten ways, that the Muhibboon have reached the estates of Love, and entered upon the Beloved One, and all of this can be achieved with two things:

Preparing your soul for this affair.

Opening your eyes.

And Allah is the Grantor of success.

Have complete faith in Allah and perform good deeds;

these are the ingredients that makeup a good and happy life.

Receive a good deed for every believing man and woman

Receive a good deed for every believing man and woman: Explained by Shaykh Abdur Razzaq Al Badr

Shaykh Abdur Razzaq:

The statement of the Prophet: Whoever seeks forgiveness for the male and female Muslims, he will receive for himself a good deed for each and every one of them.

Look! Whoever seeks forgiveness for the male Muslims and the female Muslims, he will receive for himself a good deed for each and every one of them. Do you know how many good deeds you will receive if you say in your supplication?!:

اللَّهُمَّ اغفِر لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ والْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالمُؤمِنِينَ وَالمُؤمِنَاتِ، الأَحيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالأَموَاتِ

O Allah, forgive the male and female Muslims, and the male and female believers, the living and the deceased.

A phrase which is not even one line; how many good deeds will you receive?! Count from Adam until Allah inherits the earth and all those upon it. You will receive a good deed for every Muslim; millions of good deeds. Then you supplicate for them to have guidance, firmness, assistance, success, and safety from trials and tribulations. If this supplication comes from your heart this is proof of the soundness of your heart and conscience for the welfare of your Muslim brother.

Translator’s note: Below is another wording of the Hadith which has been declared Hassan by Shaykh Al Albani

‘Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and believing women, Allah writes a good deed for him for every believing man and woman.’

(Collected by At Tabarani declared Hassan by Al Albani)

Let your bad thoughts about yourself and your many sins not prevent you from supplicating

Let your bad thoughts about yourself and your many sins

not prevent you from supplicating (making du'aa) to your Lord,

for verily He answered the supplication of Iblees when he [Iblis (Satan)] said:

"O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected".

Where your mind goes during prayer is where your heart is. 

Take it back to your Lord.

The Need for Good Company

The Need for Good Company 

Maintaining good company cannot be overstated as it plays a pivotal role in shaping who you are and influences you to choose either the straight path or a destructive one. It is important to reflect on the company that you keep both at work and in your leisure time.

Allah  says in the Qur’an:

 ​

And (remember) the Day when the Z

​a​

lim (wrong doer, oppressor, polytheist) will bite at his hands, he will say: 

​"​

Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger (Muhammad [sal-All

​a​

hu 'alayhi wa sallam]).

​ 

​"​

Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a Khal

 ​i​

l (an intimate friend)!

​ 

​"​

He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (this Qur'

 ​a​

n) after it had come to me. And Shait

​a​

n (Satan) is to man ever a deserter in the hour of need.

​"​

 (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi)

​ [Soorah al-Furqaan 25:27-29]

 ​

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"Not everyone will be happy at your success nor will everyone be saddened by your loss 

so be careful whom you share your personal matters with." 

The gifts and pleasures of Jannah

The gifts and pleasures of Jannah

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I have prepared for my righteous slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and the mind of no man has conceived.' If you wish, recite: `No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.`" (32:17) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: About the gifts and pleasures of Jannah, here a Hadith has been stated in the Words of Allah. The subject matter is confirmed from the Verse of the Qur'an given in the text of the Hadith. 

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 1881.

Abu Hurairah radhiyaAllahu anhu narrated and said that the Messenger of Allah sallaAllahu alaihi wa Sallam said: 
"Everyone in my Ummah (nation) will enter Jannah (Paradise) except the one who refuses."

They said: Oh Messenger of Allah! And who will refuse? He said:
"Whoever obeys me will enter Jannah and whoever disobeys me has indeed refused."
[Saheeh Bukhari]